Air-frying frozen veggie burgers is a quick and easy way to enjoy a meatless meal without spending a long time cooking. With an air fryer, you can cook frozen veggie burgers to perfection in just 12-15 minutes. Here’s a guide on how long to cook frozen veggie burgers in an air fryer along with tips for getting the best results.
Why Air Fry Frozen Veggie Burgers?
There are several benefits to using an air fryer for cooking frozen veggie burgers:
- Speed – Air fryers cook faster than a conventional oven. You can have crispy, hot veggie burgers ready in just 10-15 minutes.
- Convenience – Simply place the frozen veggie burgers in the air fryer basket and set the timer. No need to preheat the oven or wait for it to heat up.
- Less oil – Air frying uses little to no oil compared to deep frying, resulting in a healthier meal.
- Even cooking – The hot air circulates around food in an air fryer, cooking burgers evenly with a crispy exterior.
- Versatility – Most air fryers have temperature and timer adjustments, so you can customize doneness.
How Long to Air Fry Different Types of Frozen Veggie Burgers
Air fry times can vary slightly depending on the type and thickness of the frozen veggie burger. Here are general air fry times for common veggie burger varieties:
| Veggie Burger Type | Air Fry Time |
|---|---|
| Black bean veggie burgers (1/2 inch thick) | 10-12 minutes at 375°F |
| Garden veggie burgers (3/4 inch thick) | 12-14 minutes at 375°F |
| Quinoa & brown rice veggie burgers (1 inch thick) | 13-15 minutes at 375°F |
| Beet & chickpea veggie burgers (1/2 inch thick) | 10-12 minutes at 375°F |
For thinner burgers, reduce cook time by 1-2 minutes. For larger or thicker burgers, you may need to add 1-3 minutes to the cook time.
Tips for Air Frying Frozen Veggie Burgers
Follow these tips for perfectly cooked veggie burgers every time in your air fryer:
- Let burgers sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before air frying. This helps them cook more evenly.
- Brush both sides lightly with oil. This aids browning and prevents sticking.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave space around each burger for air circulation.
- Flip burgers over halfway during cooking for even browning.
- Check internal temperature using a meat thermometer. Veggie burgers are done at 165°F.
- Allow burgers to rest 2-3 minutes after cooking. This lets juices redistribute.
- Track air fry times and adjust as needed for your particular air fryer model and burger thickness.
How to Tell When Veggie Burgers Are Done Air Frying
Here are some ways to determine when your frozen veggie burgers are fully cooked in an air fryer:
- Internal temperature – Use an instant read thermometer to check doneness. Veggie burgers are safely cooked at an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Firmness – A fully cooked veggie burger will feel firm when pressed in the center.
- Browning – Look for an evenly browned exterior without scorching or burning.
- Time – Consult the air fry time recommendations and adjust as needed based on thickness.
- Cut test – If you cut into a burger, there should be no translucent or uncooked looking areas.
- Juices – A done veggie burger will show clear juices with no traces of pink or red.
If the veggie burger is still cold, pale, mushy, or oozing red juices, return to the air fryer for 2-3 additional minutes.
Troubleshooting Air Fried Frozen Veggie Burgers
Having trouble getting perfect results when air frying frozen veggie burgers? Here are some common issues and solutions:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Undercooked interior | Increase air fry temperature to 390°F. Cook 2-4 minutes longer. Use a meat thermometer to confirm 165°F. |
| Overly dry or hard | Reduce air fry temp to 350°F and cook time by 2-3 minutes. Brush with oil before cooking. |
| Burnt exterior | Brush with less oil. Flip halfway through cook time. Lower air fry temp by 25°F. |
| Uneven browning | Allow more space between burgers. Flip halfway through cooking. |
| Falling apart | Handle gently when flipping. Allow to rest before serving. |
Best Practices for Air Frying Veggie Burgers
Follow these best practices whenever cooking frozen veggie burgers in an air fryer:
- Select an air fryer with at least 3 qt capacity to hold multiple burgers.
- Let burgers thaw slightly before cooking for more even results.
- Brush with a small amount of oil (1/2 tsp per side) for browning.
- Preheat air fryer for 3-5 minutes at cooking temperature before adding burgers.
- Cook at 375°F, flipping halfway through recommended time.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm 165°F internal temperature.
- Allow burgers to rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
- Track cook times and adjust as needed for your particular air fryer.
Delicious Veggie Burger Air Fryer Recipes to Try
Take your veggie burgers to the next level with these flavorful air fryer recipes:
Southwestern Black Bean Veggie Burgers
Ingredients:
- 2 frozen black bean chipotle veggie burgers
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp oregano
- Pinch of cayenne (optional)
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine spices.
- Brush each side of veggie burgers lightly with oil.
- Rub spice mixture evenly on each side of oiled burgers.
- Air fry at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Let rest 2 minutes before serving.
BBQ Jackfruit Veggie Burgers
Ingredients:
- 2 frozen jackfruit veggie burgers
- 1 tbsp BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
Instructions:
- In a shallow dish, combine BBQ sauce, panko, and spices.
- Brush veggie burgers on both sides with oil.
- Dredge oiled burgers in panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- Air fry at 380°F for 13-15 minutes until 165°F.
- Let rest 2-3 minutes before serving.
Sweet Potato Quinoa Veggie Burgers
Ingredients:
- 2 frozen sweet potato quinoa veggie burgers
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 2 tbsp chopped walnuts
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine honey, cinnamon, nutmeg.
- Brush mixture evenly on both sides of veggie burgers.
- Top each burger with 1 tbsp chopped walnuts, pressing gently to adhere.
- Air fry at 375°F for 12-14 minutes until heated through.
- Allow to rest 2 minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestions for Air Fried Veggie Burgers
Maximize the flavor of your air fried veggie burgers with these tasty serving suggestions:
- Place burgers on whole wheat buns and top with salsa, guacamole, or hummus.
- Serve on a bed of lettuce with tomato, onion and your favorite condiments.
- Add burgers to salads for a protein-packed meal.
- Enjoy burgers wrapped in lettuce leaves for a low-carb option.
- Pair with oven-baked fries or sweet potato wedges.
- Top with an egg for an easy veggie burger breakfast.
Storing Leftover Air Fried Veggie Burgers
Follow these tips for storing any leftover air fried veggie burgers:
- Let burgers cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Consume leftovers within 3-4 days for best quality.
- Reheat refrigerated burgers in the air fryer at 300°F for 4-5 minutes until hot.
- Burgers can also be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium low heat.
- Freeze cooked veggie burgers in a single layer up to 2-3 months. Reheat directly from frozen.
- Do not refrigerate or freeze burgers for more than 1 hour before thoroughly reheating.
Conclusion
Air frying makes cooking frozen veggie burgers a breeze. In just 10-15 minutes, you can enjoy crispy, evenly cooked veggie burgers without the mess and long preheat time of an oven. With a few simple tips, you can easily customize cook times and flavors for burgers of any variety. Serve your air fried veggie burgers on buns, in salads, or even for breakfast to enjoy meatless meals any day of the week.